North Coast (north of Humboldt Bay)

Klamath River watershed

Trinity River

Rivers and streams between the Oregon border and Humboldt Bay that empty into the Pacific Ocean (arranged north to south; tributaries with those entering nearest the sea first). Bold indicates rivers with more detailed lists in following sections.

Mad River

Mad River

Maple Creek (California)

Humboldt Bay

Primary streams entering Humboldt Bay are listed north to south beginning north of the entrance to the bay and continuing in a clockwise direction. Tributaries entering nearest the bay are listed first.

North Coast (south of Humboldt Bay)

Rivers and streams between Humboldt Bay and the Golden Gate that empty into the Pacific Ocean (arranged north to south; tributaries with those entering nearest the sea first):

Eel River

Salt River

Van Duzen River

Yager Creek

South Fork Eel River (see List of tributaries of the South Fork Eel River for additional detail)

Bull Creek

East Branch South Fork Eel River

Cedar Creek

Tenmile Creek

North Fork Eel River

Middle Fork Eel River

North Fork Middle Fork Eel River

Thatcher Creek

Black Butte River

Rice Fork

Outlet Creek

Bear River

Mattole River

North Fork Mattole River

Upper North Fork Mattole River

Usal Creek

Ten Mile River

Noyo River

Big River

Little River

Albion River

Big Salmon Creek

Little Salmon Creek

Navarro River

Rancheria Creek

Anderson Creek

Garcia River

Gualala River

Wheatfield Fork

Russian River

East Fork Russian River

For details of the Sonoma and Marin coasts, see List of watercourses in the San Francisco Bay Area.

San Francisco Bay

Streams that empty into San Francisco Bay or its tributary bays (arranged clockwise, starting at the north side of the Golden Gate; tributaries are listed from those entering nearest the bays to farthest).

For additional detail on Bay Area creeks, see List of watercourses in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Fresno Slough from North Fork Kings River distributary in time of flood.

Big Creek

North Fork San Joaquin River

Middle Fork San Joaquin River

Minaret Creek

South Fork San Joaquin River

Tulare Basin

Map of the Tulare Lake Basin

Kaweah River in the foothills of the Sierra

Usually an endorheic basin, waters in this region all eventually would reach Tulare Lake. This region would overflow into the San Joaquin River during flood years when Tulare Lake overflowed.

Kings River

Kings River the Kings River divides into North Fork Distributary, South Fork Distributary and Clark's Fork distributaries. North Fork Distributary connects to the Fresno Slough that drains into the San Joaquin River (during high flows), before turning to the south rejoining with the other distributaries to reform the Kings River and emptying into Tulare Lake.